New Coil Springs

[Deano56]

I want to upgrade/replace my front coils on my P30 chassis. I replaced the air bags this past summer but I want to get heavier coils and be done with the bags. I'm weighing 5120 on the front axle with a light load on the rig. When I changed out the bags it was clear the springs were near to bottoming out, so now most of the weight is on the bags. Should I go with a 5300 lb rating or step it up some? Don't want a harsh ride by going to heavy duty

[mfire1339]

Springs only will give a harder ride. I would stay with air bags.



Mike

[Deano56]

[QUOTE=mfire1339;2927781]Springs only will give a harder ride. I would stay with air bags.



Mike[/QUOTE appropriate size springs won't be a hard ride, air bags are there for the added weight

[moisheh]

mnfire: The P32 does not have air ride. It is coils with auxiliary air bags. A very bad idea. Most people install the Super Steer coils and toss the problematic air bags.

[mfire1339]

Having owned a p-30 with bags and ridden in a p-30 with Super Steer Coils I stick to my original statement.


Mike

[NRF]

In the 16 years with the P30 chassis on my previous coach, I only had to replace the air bags once. The key is to not leave the bags under inflated such that they get pinched by the springs and get damaged and, of course, not overinflated (which can be very easily done quickly).

[Brazel's RV Performance]

I would go with 5100 lb springs, you don't want too high of ride height as that will make it handle poorly.

[Deano56]

Originally Posted by Ultra RV Tech

I would go with 5100 lb springs, you don't want too high of ride height as that will make it handle poorly.

does anyone know what the original springs were rated at? My front axle is rated 5K but, that must be with the airbag helpers. Maybe new ones at the original would do it as I am sure my 89 springs have settled down a fair amount. I will have to measure the height of this coach to find out what has been lost. Actually my coach rides very nice, handling in wind is a different topic

[is.chowa]

Deano

I tossed the airbags years ago and replaced with Super Steer springs, also the front tires due to weird wear patterns. Best move I could have made. I also replaced the bell cranks and shocks with Konis. If you go to SS web, they have much info.

Steve

[Deano56]

Originally Posted by is.chowa

Deano

I tossed the airbags years ago and replaced with Super Steer springs, also the front tires due to weird wear patterns. Best move I could have made. I also replaced the bell cranks and shocks with Konis. If you go to SS web, they have much info.

Steve

I know many like the SS springs but, someone makes them for them, I found others with the same correct load rating for mine for half the cost

[leesdx1]

Originally Posted by Deano56

I want to upgrade/replace my front coils on my P30 chassis. I replaced the air bags this past summer but I want to get heavier coils and be done with the bags. I'm weighing 5120 on the front axle with a light load on the rig. When I changed out the bags it was clear the springs were near to bottoming out, so now most of the weight is on the bags. Should I go with a 5300 lb rating or step it up some? Don't want a harsh ride by going to heavy duty

Deano56: Here's a quote from IRV2 memeber GA TRAVELER (15yrs service manager)...

When I was a service manager, Chevy sent out a warning to all dealers that there was a serious problem with heavier springs. To make the springs stronger, they were thicker metal. They were bottoming out when hitting a pothole and damaging the front end.

Having said that, On my beast, the PO installed the heavier springs. Sooo, my fix was to removed the front bump stop and replace them with Timbren, just in case they did bottom out. I think this was only with Chevy.

[Deano56]

Originally Posted by leesdx1

Deano56: Here's a quote from IRV2 memeber GA TRAVELER (15yrs service manager)...

When I was a service manager, Chevy sent out a warning to all dealers that there was a serious problem with heavier springs. To make the springs stronger, they were thicker metal. They were bottoming out when hitting a pothole and damaging the front end.

Having said that, On my beast, the PO installed the heavier springs. Sooo, my fix was to removed the front bump stop and replace them with Timbren, just in case they did bottom out. I think this was only with Chevy.

I would think the heavier springs would not let it settle down as far as stock one, therefore have as much travel. I sure have mixed thoughts on this, some say on here and from what I read, they were happy with the heavier spring without the bags

[vsheetz]

I had a P30 chassis coach for several years. Soon after I bought it I found out about air bags and had them replaced as they were totally bad. Then I learned of the option for heavier springs. I would have changed out for the springs next the air bags needed replaced but never had to replace in the subsequent 7-8 years we owned the coach. I would go for the springs if I had a do-over.

As for maintaining the air bags, checking them often is the key. I ran 80psi in mine iirc.

The replacement bell cranks with roller bearing (vs bushings in OEM) are highly recommended. The OEM wear quickly and cause sloppy steering, steering needing constant correct to keep a straight line, and poor handling.

Mine had the shocks already replaced with Koni's when I bought it, so can't comment on before and after. But as I understand they make a considerable improvement.

[Deano56]

Originally Posted by vsheetz

I had a P30 chassis coach for several years. Soon after I bought it I found out about air bags and had them replaced as they were totally bad. Then I learned of the option for heavier springs. I would have changed out for the springs next the air bags needed replaced but never had to replace in the subsequent 7-8 years we owned the coach. I would go for the springs if I had a do-over.

As for maintaining the air bags, checking them often is the key. I ran 80psi in mine iirc.

The replacement bell cranks with roller bearing (vs bushings in OEM) are highly recommended. The OEM wear quickly and cause sloppy steering, steering needing constant correct to keep a straight line, and poor handling.

Mine had the shocks already replaced with Koni's when I bought it, so can't comment on before and after. But as I understand they make a considerable improvement.

I will never ever pay for the high priced bell cranks, can get mine rebushed many times for that price